Attached Link: http://www.alienbees.com/

I use...oops, better say "have" small and simple strobe lights from Alien Bees. I have not made the place to use the strobes so more "have" than "use" at the time being. These strobes have everyday light bulbs in addition to the strobe tube, used as modeling lamps to give an indication of the light balance. Taking a few test shots is not a hassle with digital.

Lots of brands are out there but some folks recommended the brand I got and so I went that direction. Controls on the lights to vary the light output are easy to understand.

Trying these lights a few times, I have tried to use a single light with reflectors, etc...aka single point lighting as in nature with the sun. To me this is a good learning approach. The second light is still in its box.

These strobes are easy to use and from my unexperienced pov, work quite well. You will need a decent light meter of the incident/reflected light sort which will read flash.
Using the meter is not really difficult.

I am not experienced with either strobe or hot lights but for me, the strobe is the way to go. To each..a choice.

Message edited on: 12/15/2005 07:33